What size space heater do I need?

Work out the wattage a space heater needs to warm your room, adjusted for insulation and ceiling height.

How space heater sizing works

A common rule is 10 watts of heating per square foot for a room with 8 ft ceilings and average insulation — so 150 sq ft wants about 1,500 watts, which is the most a standard 120 V outlet can supply. Poorly insulated or high-ceilinged rooms need more; well-sealed rooms need less. If the calculator asks for more than 1,500 watts, you’ll want two heaters or a 240 V unit.

Top picks

Space Heaters we’d actually buy

Ranked by rating & value · prices on Amazon

1500 W
Vornado

Vornado VH200 Whole Room Heater

1500 W 4.6★
1500 W
Dr Infrared Heater

Dr Infrared Heater DR-968

1500 W 4.5★
1500 W
Lasko

Lasko 754200 Ceramic Space Heater

1500 W 4.4★ (38,000)
1500 W
Dreo

Dreo Solaris 718 Space Heater

1500 W
1500 W
De'Longhi

De'Longhi Dragon Digital Oil Filled Radiator TRD40615E

1500 W
1500 W
Dreo

Dreo Atom One Space Heater

1500 W

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